The President and members of the Braidwood RSL Sub-Branch cordially invite the Braidwood community to join with them in commemorating ANZAC Day 2015. This year marks the centenary of the landings at ANZAC Cove. The day consists of a Dawn Service and later a march followed by a commemorative service at the War Memorial and in Ryrie Park. This year, as the centenary of ANZAC we are paying particular respect to all those from the Braidwood District who served in WWI.

The Dawn Service will be held a little later than in previous years, commencing at 6.30 am at the memorial flag pole in Ryrie Park. John Barilaro, MP, Member for Monaro will attend the Dawn Service. This will be followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Service’s Club from 7.15 am (gold coin donation to go to Legacy).

Local ceremonies will be held in Majors Creek at 8.30 am and Araluen at 9.00am.

RECOGNISING BRAIDWOOD WWI VETERANS.

This year, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli the Braidwood sub-branch is undertaking a significant task to commemorate and remember the local people who went to WWI. We have identified 464 from the district who went to that war and 88 who did not return. We are currently collecting all the information we can on these men and women. We will publish individual booklets for each of the 88 on ANZAC Day. 88 local school students are being identified to ‘own’ each of those who did not return. These students will march as a formed body behind the RSL contingent in the main ceremony on ANZAC Day and each place a commemorative flag in Ryrie Park as part of this year’s ceremony, immediately before the wreath laying segment. The histories will be launched and displayed during the lunch at the Services Club.

The Braidwood parade will assemble outside D & S Motors at 10:30 am in preparation for the march off at 10:45. Captain Geoff Palmer, RAA, a member of our sub branch will be the parade commander.

THE PARADE ORDER WILL BE:

* Light Horse Contingent

* Kapyong Company, RMC

* Braidwood Group, comprising RSL sub-branch, ex-service and serving members;

* Descendants of ex-servicemen wishing to commemorate their relatives;

* Drummers from ADFA

* Braidwood ANZAC Commemoration contingent.

* Braidwood Fire Brigades

* Braidwood Central School

* St Bede’s School

* Trinity College

It would be helpful if those attending could muster in the order listed above. When the parade reaches Ryrie Park, the Braidwood ANZAC Commemoration contingent will march into the park. The remainder of the parade will remain on Wallace Street.

The Braidwood ANZAC Commemoration contingent will place their flags in the garden in recognition of their veteran.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AT RYRIE PARK:

The President of the RSL sub branch will lay a wreath on the memorial and call for others to do the same.

* Last Post, minute’s silence, Rouse

* Ode

* Flyover

* Parade moves to Ryrie park, rotunda

* The service is outlined in the Program to be distributed on the day. It will include a speaker from Headquarters, Joint Operations Command, Bungendore. The Braidwood Cantors and the Jembaicumbene and District Band will help us to keep in tune with hymns and music.

The service will be followed by drinks and lunch at the Services Club starting at 12.15

Lunch: All RSL sub-branch members, their partners, ex-service and serving personnel in Braidwood area are welcome to attend the lunch. Additional family members wishing to attend the lunch are welcome, on payment of $15 to the Services Club. Early notification of additional attendances would be appreciated. The lunch venue in the hall is limited to 150 people.

Book Launch: The books commemorating the 88 men of Braidwood who did not return from World War One will be launched in the Services Club at 1:30pm by Dr Peter Hendy. Everyone welcome.

Two Up: Following the book launch a game of “two-up” will commence, proceeds of which will go to support Legacy.

For any questions regarding the day, please contact the RSL sub branch President, Ted Younger on 0412 003 250 or the Secretary, Chris Nelson on 0407 966 037.